2008 Giant Halfway (folding bike)

[Scott-S]

I cant remember where I read it because what a damn chore I had trying to loosen the freewheel, it was on there.
naturally I was struggling with trying to get it off with the key and a cassette chain whip, and then I read to lock the spanner or ratchet in your vice or in my case an ancient Black & Decker Workmate and turn the wheel as it gives masses of leverage over handballing a spanner.
Might have been here, might have been Sheldons page,, not sure.. so my apologies to the OP but you are a hero in my opinion

Well colour me shocked as after just a little bit of resistance off it came as easy as that.
and a nice clean and a bare rear wheel goes to the community workshop tomorrow to have the bearing(s) replaced.


And to make matters even better I found the old Squire Protector D lock that will make a nice wee retro ornament on the bike as well as providing a legal theft deterrent for the foolish.


Thrilled at such a success, t'was dram time in the sun

 

[Totoro]

Black & Decker Workmate and turn the wheel as it gives masses of leverage over handballing a spanner.

May have to invest in one of these as I don't really have anywhere to set a vice up. Well thought

 

[bikeworkshop]

May have to invest in one of these as I don't really have anywhere to set a vice up. Well thought

Workmate is an excellent tool for those without av work bench with vice
- some models are way superior to others.

Spend a few hours browsing "retroworkmate" to make an informed choice.

 

[Scott-S]

May have to invest in one of these as I don't really have anywhere to set a vice up. Well thought

Worth their weigh in gold and still gold away vey small, I’ll take some pics when I get home about 3:30 today

Workmate is an excellent tool for those without av work bench with vice
- some models are way superior to others.

Spend a few hours browsing "retroworkmate" to make an informed choice.

I bought this when we bought our first house in 1998 and it’s been invaluable over the years, possibly the very best feature is the ability to taper the jaws to accommodate clamping uneven shapes like ratchets

It still has the original orange plastic peg clamps for the work surface and they are damn handy at times too.

 

[novocaine]

I have the worlds cheapest workmate copy every made. It's rubbish. It's also perfect for exactly what I need it for, which is normally a saw tressle with 2 other tressles either side so I can run the panel saw across a board.

occasionally I even remember to open the jaws and every now and then I take it inside.

yer the sturdy decent old one's are great, but they aren't a workbench and never will be, you can't beat a workbench, with a nice big vice and a worktop you don't give a shit about.

nicely done job on getting that freewheel off, they are a fecker at the best of times, but after 20 years they are often locked solid.

 

[bikeworkshop]

I have the worlds cheapest workmate copy every made. It's rubbish. It's also perfect for exactly what I need it for, which is normally a saw tressle with 2 other tressles either side so I can run the panel saw across a board.

occasionally I even remember to open the jaws and every now and then I take it inside.

yer the sturdy decent old one's are great, but they aren't a workbench and never will be, you can't beat a workbench, with a nice big vice and a worktop you don't give a shit about.

nicely done job on getting that freewheel off, they are a fecker at the best of times, but after 20 years they are often locked solid.

My fave is 20 years old, fitted dry, left outside, spokes all seized, and as you turn the rim, the wheel collapses
Even taking the freewheel apart leaves the same issue, gripped in the vice.

The only safe option is to dismantle the fw, grind a slot in the inner section and split it off with a wedge.
The steel is hardened, so splits OK.

Usually though a wheel in this condition isn't worth saving - getting power tools out adds cost due to extra h&s care.

 

[novocaine]

My fave is 20 years old, fitted dry, left outside, spokes all seized, and as you turn the rim, the wheel collapses
Even taking the freewheel apart leaves the same issue, gripped in the vice.

The only safe option is to dismantle the fw, grind a slot in the inner section and split it off with a wedge.
The steel is hardened, so splits OK.

Usually though a wheel in this condition isn't worth saving - getting power tools out adds cost due to extra h&s care.

fire is sometimes the most caring approach.

 

[Scott-S]

fire is sometimes the most caring approach.

For the wheel or the uncaring owner?

Dont answer that for legal reasons,,, self incrimination on your part and plausible deniability on ours

 

[novocaine]

For the wheel or the uncaring owner?

Dont answer that for legal reasons,,, self incrimination on your part and plausible deniability on ours

pigs, they'll eat anything and they leave no trace.
fire is too obvious.

 

[bikeworkshop]

fire is sometimes the most caring approach.

These seized ones are usually mostly steel.

Any fool can get aluminium to catch, just using their Kirk Magnesium frame as a starter.

Steel takes a bit more effort.

In the smelter it goes!